13 Best Stock Trading Apps UK For Beginners 2023

UK investors can easily trade stocks on an FCA-regulated app. This means you’ll never be more than a click away from the financial markets.

In this guide, we compare the 13 best stock trading apps in the UK for 2023. Read on to discover the best FCA-regulated trading apps for low fees, supported markets, investment tools, and much more.

Best Stock Trading Apps for Beginners Reviewed

We’ll now review the 13 best stock trading apps listed above. Find out more about each provider, including trading fees, available stock markets, minimum investment requirements, and much more.

1. eToro – Overall Best Stock Trading App for Beginners 

If you’re investing in the share market for the first time – eToro will be the best stock trading app for you. Its iOS and Android app is very easy to use. You simply need to open an account, deposit some funds, and choose which stocks to trade. The registration process takes less than five minutes to complete and you can deposit money instantly with a UK debit/credit card or e-wallet.

You’ll then have access to more than 3,000 stocks from many different markets. This includes the best shares to buy in the UK, such as 888 Holdings, HSBC, easyJet, BP, Vodafone, JD Sports, and Entain. If you’re looking to invest in the broader UK stock market, eToro also supports FTSE 100 index funds. This will give you exposure to the 100 largest companies on the London Stock Exchange through a single trade.

That said, many investors use eToro to buy Amazon shares and other popular US stocks. This includes everything from Tesla, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America to Apple, Meta Platforms, and Alphabet. For broader diversification, eToro supports US index funds like the S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, and the Dow Jones.

In addition, you can also trade stocks from multiple European countries, including France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany. Not to mention Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and other global markets. All of the stocks listed by eToro can be traded in small fractions. Regardless of its stock price, you can invest any amount from $10 (about £8) or more.

This means eToro is the best stock trading app in the UK for budget investors. What’s more, eToro offers super-low trading fees. Both UK and global stocks can be traded at 0% commission. Spreads on large-cap stocks are very low too. You can also apply leverage of up to 1:5 on stocks – the majority do not attract overnight financing fees. That said, you will need to pay a small deposit fee of 0.5%.

Nonetheless, eToro is also popular with beginners for its copy trading feature. Put simply, you’ll select an experienced stock trader to copy and all of their investment will be mirrored in your eToro portfolio. This removes the need for you to manually research the stock market. You can also invest in diversified smart portfolios. These offer exposure to selected markets, such as artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and drones.

eToro smart portfolios are professionally managed but no additional fees are charged. The most important aspect of eToro is that it’s heavily regulated. It’s authorized and licensed by the FCA and covered by the FSCS. This means that your investment capital is kept in segregated bank accounts. Plus, the FSCS covers your investments up to £85,000 in the unlikely event that eToro goes bankrupt. eToro has been operational since 2007 and more than 30 million people use its platform to trade.

74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

2. XTB – Invest in 3,000+ Global Stocks at 0% Commission 

XTB is one of the best stock brokers in the UK. You can trade online, via its native desktop software, or by downloading the XTB app for iOS/Android. All three options come packed with features, including chart analysis tools, technical indicators, and lightning-fast execution speeds. XTB offers two types of stock trading markets.

First, you can invest in traditional stocks, meaning you own the underlying shares. More than 3,000 real stocks are supported and you won’t pay any commissions to trade. This includes US-listed stocks, so you can buy Tesla shares in the UK cost-effectively. You can also invest in Apple, Amazon, IBM, Ford Motors, Microsoft, and many other popular US companies.

You can also invest in UK-listed stocks, such as AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Lloyds Bank, and BT. The second option you have is to trade stock CFDs. These are financial derivatives that track real-world stock prices. They enable you to trade stocks with leverage of up to 1:5, so you’ll have £50 in trading capital for every £10 you deposit. XTB supports thousands of stock CFDs and you can go long or short on your chosen companies.

Stock CFDs are also commission-free, just like real shares. Irrespective of which stock type you opt for, you can get started with a free demo account. This enables you to trade stocks in live market conditions risk-free. Or, you can begin trading with real money – no minimum deposit is required. You can fund your XTB account via its app; payment types include debit/credit cards and e-wallets.

Another feature of the XTB app is it supports other asset classes. For example, you can trade commodities like oil, gold, silver, sugar, corn, and natural gas. On the lookout for the top UK forex brokers in 2023? XTB has traders covered as they can also trade forex pairs like GBP/USD, USD/CAD, and EUR/GBP. Indices from around the world are supported too, including Japan, China, Germany, and the US. If you’re new to trading, XTB offers free educational guides, articles, and ebooks.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

3. AvaTrade – 0% Commission Trading App Supporting CFDs and Spread Betting    

AvaTrade is one of the best stock trading apps in the UK for short-term traders. It specializes in two different types of financial derivatives that can be traded with leverage. First, AvaTrade supports spread betting markets – meaning you can buy and sell stocks without paying tax on your capital gains. Second, you can also trade stock CFDs.

Both options support leverage of up to 1:5, plus the ability to go long or short. Moreover, AvaTrade supports more than 600 stocks, mainly from the UK and US markets. Best of all, AvaTrade doesn’t charge trading commissions, regardless of whether you are spread betting or CFD trading. You’ll find some of the lowest spreads in the market too. For example, most stocks can be traded with spreads of just 0.13%.

So, if you place a £100 position, you’re simply paying 13p to enter the market. However, AvaTrade won’t be suitable for long-term investments. Every day you keep a position open, you’ll be charged overnight financing fees. This can be expensive in the long run, so AvaTrade is best suited for day trading. After all, if you close a leveraged position before the end of the trading day, no overnight financing fees apply.

AvaTradeGO, its native app for iOS and Android, is very user-friendly. It comes with many market insights, such as the best and worst-performing stocks over the prior day. The app also comes with more advanced trading tools, such as optimized technical indicators. If you want to give AvaTradeGO a test drive, you can open a free demo account. Or, if you want to trade stocks with real money right away, simply meet a minimum deposit of £100.

76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

4. Trade Nation – Trade 1,000+ Instruments and Access 90+ Technical Indicators 

The next top UK stock trading app is Trade Nation. Users can trade more than 1,000 instruments through the Trade Nation app, including over 100 UK shares. 

The Trade Nation app offers a straightforward user interface, allowing one to purchase new assets in just a few clicks. The app has multiple trading tools, such as real-time news, to inform you of market updates. 

You can also access risk management tools such as stop orders to limit your losses. Through the Trade Nation app, one can also access multiple drawing and annotation tools when conducting technical analysis. Charting on the mobile application is powered by ChartIQ, allowing you to access over 90 technical indicators. 

Other than stocks, users can access forex pairs, commodities, and indices on Trade Nation. Users can practice stock trading and CFD (Contrat for Differences) trading on Trade Nation. This platform is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) since 2014. It is also covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK. 

To get started, traders can make an investment with debit/credit cards such as VISA and MasterCard. Other payment options include AstroPay and e-wallets such as Neteller and Skrill. 

67.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

5. Admirals – Start Trading with Just £1 Through this Popular Stock Trading Application

Admirals is a popular stock trading platform that allows users to trade more than 8,000 instruments. Users can trade more than 3,000 share CFDs through the Admirals trading app and even access spot trading options. 

Catering to the customers, the Admirals app is accessible in 10+ languages. For beginner investors looking to start their investing journeys, Admirals supports educational content such as webinars and articles on the application. 

Another key feature of Admirals is fractional investing. Those on a tight budget do not need to purchase an entire stock. Instead, they can purchase as little as £1 worth of the share. The minimum investment on Admirals is set at £25. 

The Admirals app offers a quick account opening process. Thus, users can start trading in just a few minutes. The application comes with a range of charting tools and technical indicators that one can leverage before trading. 

Along with shares, users can access multiple forex pairs, indices, bonds, commodities, and ETFs on Admirals. When trading stocks such as Amazon, users are only required to pay a low commission of $0.02. You get one free commission per day. 

In the UK, Admirals is regulated by the FCA. Payments can be made using credit/debit cards and bank transfers. While you get one free withdrawal on bank transfers every month, there is a subsequent charge of $10 per withdrawal. 

74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

6. Pepperstone – Advanced Trading Options with the Pepperstone cTrader Mobile App

One of the most popular trading platforms, Pepperstone, is used in more than 174 countries. The platform is also regulated by multiple regulatory bodies, such as the Financial Conduct Authority and the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC). 

The Pepperstone platform offers a TradingView account and Meta Trader 4 & 5. However, Pepperstone also offers a separate cTrader mobile trading application for more experienced investors. This application allows users to access features such as advanced risk management, open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), and advanced platform customization. 

You also get regular access to trade statistics, price alerts, and advanced order management settings. The cTrader app also offers advanced processing of expert advisors and indicators, which can be a benefit when conducting technical analysis. 

On the cTrader mobile app, users can trade more than 1,200 instruments, including over 100+ UK-based shares. When trading UK shares, the average commission is 0.10% per trade, or £7. A spread of 1 pips is also added to the order. 

Users can also access educational webinars through the mobile app. The minimum deposit is set at $200. 

87.2% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

7. Plus500 – Commission-Free Access to Stocks in Over a Dozen International Markets   

Plus500 is a popular CFD broker that offers a native app for iOS and Android. It’s authorized and regulated by the FCA and your capital is covered by the FSCS. Plus500 is also regulated in other countries, including Cyprus, Australia, and Singapore. We found that Plus500 is one of the best stock trading apps for gaining exposure to the international markets.

This includes stocks from South Africa, Hong Kong, Hungary,  Japan, Singapore, Greece, and Sweden. There’s also a huge collection of Australian stocks, including Qantas Airways, a2 Milk, Xero, Fletcher Building, and Medibank. Plenty of UK and US stocks are supported too. Not to mention stocks in Germany, France, Switzerland, and Norway.

Plus500 doesn’t charge any trading commissions on any of its support stock markets. This is also the case for other asset classes, including indices, ETFs, forex, and commodities. Plus500 also allows you to view the market sentiment on stocks. This breaks down the number of buyers and sellers in percentage terms. You can open a free Plus500 demo account that comes with $50,000 in virtual funds. Or you can trade with real money by depositing £100 or more.

8. Capital.com – Trade Thousands of Stocks With Leverage of up to 1:5            

Capital.com is one of the best stock trading apps in the UK for active traders. This provider specializes in leverage CFDs, so you can trade stocks with leverage. You can also short-sell companies that you believe will decline in value. More than 2,800 stocks are supported on the Capital.com app. This gives you lots of trading opportunities throughout the day.

For example, you can trade UK-listed stocks like Barclays, Wizz Air, Tesco, Vanquis Banking, HSBC, and BAE Systems. You can also trade stocks from the Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. Other supported stock markets include the US, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Norway. When trading UK stocks, you only need to meet a minimum trade size of one share.

If you’re trading US stocks, the minimum is just 0.1 shares. For instance, if you’re trading Apple stocks at $179, the minimum would be $17.90, or about £14. Other markets have their own minimums, but you can easily view this by clicking on the respective stock. Either way, you can trade UK and international stocks on Capital.com commission-free.

We like that Capital.com makes it easy to find a suitable stock to trade. You can use the search bar, or filter by the exchange or industry. The latter covers everything from utilities, healthcare, and energy to financial, basic materials, and technology. Capital.com also supports other asset classes, including commodities, forex, indices, and ETFs.

Capital.com is a safe and trusted trading app. It’s authorized and regulated by the FCA and is a member of the FSCS. Moreover, Capital.com has over 555,000 registered traders and it handles more than $54 million in monthly trading volume. Payments are simple and hassle-free too – you can deposit funds instantly with a UK debit/credit card or e-wallet. When using one of these deposit types, you’ll only need £20 to get started.

74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider

9. Hargreaves Lansdown – Traditional Stock Trading App Supporting ISAs and SIPPs             

Hargreaves Lansdown offers a comprehensive range of investments and trading markets. This includes thousands of shares from the London Stock Exchange and the AIM. You can also invest in US-listed stocks like Apple and Tesla. However, Hargreaves Lansdown doesn’t support fractional investments – meaning you’ll need to buy at least one share.

This can make US-listed stocks expensive, as many trade for hundreds of dollars each. In addition, the Hargreaves Lansdown app also supports diversified investments. This includes thousands of investment funds, ETFs, and trusts. This offers a passive way to invest in the stock market. You can also buy UK-issued corporate and government bonds.

We also like that Hargreaves Lansdown has an extensive research department. Its in-house analysts produce free stock reports on major UK companies, including quarterly earnings. You’ll also find information related to dividends and key accounting ratios. Hargreaves Lansdown also offers a range of ISAs, allowing you to invest in stocks tax-efficiently. It also supports SIPPs.

All that being said, Hargreaves Lansdown isn’t the cheapest stock trading app in the UK. It has a flat commission of £11.95 when you buy and sell investments. If you put these investments into an ISA, you’ll pay an additional 0.45%. Plus, if you trade US-listed stocks, you’ll be charged a 1% foreign exchange fee. Nevertheless, we like that the Hargreaves Lansdown app is user-friendly and the minimum deposit is just £1.

10. IG – Established UK Brokerage App Supports Thousands of Traditional Investment Markets

IG is an FCA-regulated broker that was founded nearly 50 years ago. It is also a member of the FSCS and has an excellent reputation for first-class customer service. You can invest via the IG website or its native app for iOS and Android. Both options support thousands of traditional investment markets. This includes most companies listed on the London Stock Exchange and the AIM.

You can also invest in global stocks from the US, Australia, and multiple European exchanges. You’ll need to deposit at least £250 to open an IG account. Accepted payment types include debit/credit cards and bank transfers. While the latter is fee-free, Visa and MasterCard payments cost 1% and 0.5% respectively.

You’ll also need to pay a £24 custody fee every three months if you have less than £15,000 in your portfolio, or you trade less than three times during the quarter. Trading commissions are also pricey if you don’t trade regularly. For example, US stocks attract a commission of £10 if you traded less than three times in the prior month. Similarly, UK stock commissions amount to £8.

But you can reduce your US and UK stock commissions to £0 and £3 respectively when you reach the three-trade threshold. As such, IG won’t be suitable if you want to invest small amounts every now and then. Plus, IG doesn’t support fractional shares. Nevertheless, IG is a safe and trusted trading app that offers excellent research tools. It also supports leveraged trading via spread betting and CFDs.

11. Skilling – Spread-Only Trading App Supporting 700+ Stocks

Skilling is a popular CFD trading platform that also offers a user-friendly app. Available on iOS and Android, the Skilling app supports over 700 stocks from multiple markets. In the US, you can trade large-cap companies like Home Depot, Amazon, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, and Marriott International. European stocks are also supported, such as Hugo Boss, Kone, and Airbus.

You can also trade UK-listed stocks, including AstraZeneca and HSBC. Skilling is a spread-only trading app, so you won’t be charged commissions to enter and exit positions. However, we did find that spreads aren’t the most competitive in the market. For example, the spread on Apple stock is currently $0.75, which amounts to just over 0.40%.

That said, we like that Skilling allows you to trade US stocks in 0.1 units. This means you can trade just 10% of one stock. Another benefit is that the Skilling app supports many other assets. This includes major, minor, and exotic forex pairs. You can also trade commodities and indices. The latter includes stock exchanges from the UK, US, India, Italy, Japan, China, Brazil, Singapore, and many others.

We also like that the Skilling app supports plenty of trading tools. This includes technical indicators, drawing tools, and execution speeds of just 0.05 seconds. The Skilling app also comes with an in-built live chat feature. This ensures that you can get assistance on your account at any time. The minimum deposit at Skilling is €100 (about £85), but you can also open a free demo account.

12. Freetrade – Popular Stock Trading App for Fractional Investments             

Freetrade is one of the best stock trading apps in the UK for making fractional investments. You only need to meet a minimum trade size of £2. This is the case with all supported stocks from the UK, the US, and multiple European exchanges. However, while Freetrade supports over 6,000 stocks in total, the free account is limited to 1,500.

Moreover, the free account charges an FX fee of 0.99% on international stock investments. That said, you won’t pay any trading commissions. If you upgrade to the standard plan (£5.99/month), this is reduced to 0.59%. The standard account also comes with 1% interest on uninvested cash (up to £2,000) and automated order types (e.g. stop-losses).

If you upgrade to the plus plan (£11.99), you’ll also get priority customer support, and interest on uninvested cash is increased to 3% (up to £4,000). You’ll also reduce the FX fee on non-UK stocks to 0.39% and have access to SIPPs. Irrespective of your chosen account type, there are no minimum deposit requirements at Freetrade. Its app is available on iOS and Android.

13. Trading 212 – Low-Cost Stock Trading App With Dividends and Share Lending       

Trading 212 is one of the cheapest stock trading apps in the UK. It offers 0% commission trading on all supported markets. This is the case with stocks in the UK, the US, and Spain, France, Portugal, and other European exchanges. Moreover, Trading 212 has a minimum trade requirement of just £1. Trading 212 is ideal for long-term investors who want to earn regular income.

For example, you’ll receive stock dividends as soon as the distribution is made. You’ll even earn dividends if you only own a small fraction of one share. What’s more, Trading 212 allows you to lend out your shares to short-sellers. Those borrowing your shares will pay interest until they are transferred back. Trading 212 also supports auto-investing portfolios.

This is another passive way to build wealth, as your investments are automated. Trading 212 also supports leveraged stock CFDs and ISAs. There are no additional fees to invest in ISAs and all supported stocks are eligible. You can deposit funds instantly via the Trading 212 app; accepted payment types include Apple/Google Pay and debit/credit cards. While deposits are initially free, after the first £2,000 you’ll pay 0.7%.

How to Pick the Right Stock Trading App for You

No two stock trading apps are the same, so you’ll need to know what to look for when choosing a provider.

For example, while some trading apps are ideal for buying US-listed shares, others focus on the London Stock Exchange. There are many other factors to consider when researching the best apps for stock trading, which we discuss below.

Regulation and FSCS Protections 

The UK investment industry is heavily regulated. This is to ensure that UK consumers have access to fair and transparent trading conditions. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has regulatory oversight over UK stock trading apps. As such, you should ensure that your chosen trading app is authorized and licensed by the FCA.

Here’s why:

• FCA-regulated trading apps must keep client funds in segregated bank accounts. As explained in the FCA handbook, this simply means that trading apps can’t use your money to fund their own operations.
• If a stock trading app is regulated by the FCA, it can become a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Similar to FSCS-protected banks, this covers your investment capital up to £85,000 if the trading app goes bust.
• FCA-regulated trading apps cannot use your investments to pay creditors – even if they file for bankruptcy. As such, while the FSCS covers cash balances, you’ll still remain a shareholder in your purchased stocks. The stocks will simply be transferred to another broker.

None of the protections listed above will be available if you choose a stock trading app that isn’t FCA-regulated. This includes FSCS protections and client fund segregation.

This is why we rank eToro and XTB so highly. Not only are both trading apps regulated by the FCA but also licensing bodies in other jurisdictions. Moreover, eToro and XTB are members of the FSCS. This means that as long as you don’t have more than £85,000 invested – you’re fully protected.

Supported Stock Markets 

When exploring the best apps for stock investments, you’ll need to assess what share markets it supports.

If you want to invest in UK-listed shares, look for trading apps that support the London Stock Exchange. In doing so, you’ll be able to buy shares in BP, HSBC, 888 Holdings, Barclays, BT, GlaxoSmithKline, and many other popular UK companies.

Additionally, if you want to invest in smaller UK companies, look for a trading app that supports the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The AIM lists small-cap stocks that aren’t large enough for the London Stock Exchange.

Alternatively, many UK investors prefer to trade stocks from overseas. In particular, the US markets are popular, as this is where some of the world’s largest companies are listed. For example, Tesla, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, IBM, and Alphabet.

You might also consider investing in non-traditional stock markets, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan. After all, the Asian markets are home to some of the fastest-growing economies globally.

If you’re looking to invest in companies from many UK and international markets, then eToro is the best stock trading app for you. eToro supports stocks from the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, the US, Sweden, and more. You only need to invest $10 (about £8) per trade and no trading commissions are charged. As such, eToro offers a budget-friendly and cost-effective way to create an international portfolio.

Other Supported Asset Classes

While you might initially want to trade shares, the best stock apps also support other asset classes. For example, eToro, XTB, and Capital.com also allow you to trade forex pairs. These popular trading apps also support indices and commodities like gold and oil.

If you want to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, eToro is the best option. Not only does it allow you to buy digital assets in an FCA-regulated environment but it also offers a licensed crypto wallet. Moreover, eToro supports some of the most popular altcoins, like Dogecoin and XRP.

Fees 

The best stock trading apps in the UK offer low fees. That said, we found that many providers have ‘hidden’ fees that aren’t easy to locate. As such, let’s break down the main fees that you will need to check before choosing a provider.

Trading Commissions 

The first fee to explore is commissions. This is one of the main ways that stock trading apps make money. Put simply, the app will charge you a commission when you buy and sell assets.

For example:

• Let’s say that you buy £100 worth of stocks on the Hargreaves Lansdown app
• You will pay a flat commission of £11.95 (11.95% of the investment size)
• Let’s say that a few months later, your stocks are worth £150
• You want to sell, so you again pay a flat commission of £11.95 (8% of the sale proceeds)

As you can see, Hargreaves Lansdown isn’t suitable for buying and selling stocks unless you’re investing huge amounts.

Now consider the same investment at eToro. To enter the market, you’ll pay 0% in commission. And to sell your stocks, you’ll also pay 0% in commission. This means that you would have saved £23.90 by using eToro.

Spreads

The spread is an additional trading fee to look for when choosing a stock buying app. This is simply the difference between the buy and sell prices of the asset you’re trading.

For example:

• Suppose you want to trade Apple stocks on the eToro app
• Currently, the buy price is $179.38
• And the sell price is $179.10
• This means that for every stock you trade, you’re paying a spread of just $0.28
• Plus, eToro doesn’t charge commissions, so that’s saved you even more.

Not all UK trading apps display the spread, so you might need to work this out yourself. Moreover, the spread changes based on market conditions. Nonetheless, you’ll want to trade with the lowest spreads possible.

FX Fees on International Stocks

One of the main drawbacks of trading international stocks is that you might need to pay FX fees. This is because you’re investing in assets that trade in a different currency.

Here are some examples of FX fees charged by popular stock market apps in the UK:

• Hargreaves Lansdown: 1%
• Freetrade: Up to 0.99%
• Plus500: Up to 0.70% (charged against profit/loss)
• Trading 212: 0.15%

eToro charges an FX fee of 0.5% when you make a deposit into your account. This is because GBP payments are converted to USD. However, you can then trade US stocks without paying FX fees. You’ll only pay the 0.5% FX fee when you make a withdrawal, as USD will be converted back to GBP.

Platform Fees

Some UK stock trading apps charge platform fees. This is a fee charged to keep your account open. You might need to pay a flat monthly fee or a percentage of your portfolio value.

For example, standard and plus plans on Trading 212 cost £5.99 and £11.99 per month, respectively. This means that investing small amounts can be unviable, as you’re paying monthly fees regardless of whether you make a profit.

IG also charges a flat platform fee. You’ll pay £24 every quarter if you don’t meet minimum trade requirements. Any commissions you pay during the quarter are reduced from the platform fee.

If you’re trading via a Stocks and Shares ISA, then a percentage fee is more likely. For example, you’ll pay 0.45% at Hargreaves Lansdown.

Trading Tools and Analysis 

The majority of stock trading apps offer tools to help you analyze the markets. This often includes live pricing charts with drawing tools and technical indicators. That said, these tools might not be suitable if you’re a beginner.

A more suitable option would be market insights from expert analysts. These help you make informed trading decisions, as you’ll be extracting insights from experienced investors. You’ll find plenty of research reports on Hargreaves Lansdown that are easy to understand. This includes an analysis of quarterly earnings reports.

eToro is also popular for user-friendly insights. It offers a market sentiment bar that shows the breakdown of buyers and sellers for each stock. It also displays sell-side analyst ratings with price targets, not to mention financial news reports.

Account Minimums 

You might need to meet some account minimums when using a UK stock trading app. For example, some apps come with a minimum deposit requirement. There’s sometimes a minimum withdrawal requirement too.

• Additionally, most stock trading apps require you to meet a minimum trade size.
• Apps like Hargreaves Lansdown and IG don’t support fraction stocks – so you need to buy and sell full shares.
• This isn’t an issue when trading UK stocks, as they trade in pennies.
• But US stocks trade in dollars, so you might need to meet a much higher minimum.
• For instance, Booking Holdings (the company behind Booking.com and Agoda), trades at over $3,000 per share.

The good news is that many stock trading apps support fractional shares. This means you don’t need to buy and sell full shares. At eToro, the minimum stock trade size is $10. So, if you invested $10 in Booking Holdings, you would own about 0.3% of one share.

XTB also supports fractional shares – the minimum is just €10 (about £8.50).

Demo Account 

The most effective way to choose a stock trading app is to open a demo account. You won’t need to deposit any funds or provide payment details.

Demo accounts come pre-loaded with virtual trading funds. This enables you to test the trading app risk-free. If the app is to your liking, you can then open a real money account.

Payment Methods

You’ll need to choose a stock trading app that supports your preferred payment method.

Most providers allow you to deposit funds directly in the app. Your payment will be processed instantly if you use a UK debit/credit card. E-wallet deposits are also fast, especially when using PayPal.

If you prefer transferring money from your UK bank, you’ll need to manually copy and paste the broker’s account number and sort code. Moreover, it can take 1-3 working days before the money is added to your trading account.

Customer Service 

The best stock investment apps offer in-app customer service. You can normally speak with an agent via live chat.

You’ll likely find that customer service is available around the clock during the week. Some trading apps also offer customer support over the weekend.

However, do note that live chat isn’t always available. If it isn’t, you might need to call the trading app provider.

Conclusion

Overall, we found that the best stock trading app in the UK is eToro. We like that eToro offers thousands of commission-free stocks. Not only on UK stocks but those in the US, Europe, and Asia.

What’s more, fractional stocks are supported, so you only need to invest $10 (about £8) per trade. Your money and investments are safe at eToro too – it’s regulated by the FCA and a member of the FSCS.

74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

References

https://www.dowjones.com/

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https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/CASS/7/13.html

https://www.fscs.org.uk/what-we-cover/

https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/equity/sp-500/

https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2023/05/01/asia-poised-to-drive-global-economic-growth-boosted-by-chinas-reopening

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